Fabric marking machine



y 1969 G. o. STUMPF ETAL 3,452,671

FABRIC MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1967 Sheet of 2' y 1, 1969 G. o. STUMPF ETAL 3,452,671

FABRIC MARKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1967 Sheetof 2 I l 1 1 I //7O T I 1 i United States Patent B Int. (:1. B44b 5/320; B23b 39/14 US. Cl. 101-26 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fabric marking machine having a rotatable needle which is drivable by a driving motor, said needle and motor being movable together along guide posts towards and away from a fabric marking station.

The invention relates to fabric marking machines and is concerned with such a machine having a rotatable marking needle which is adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly, together with a driving motor. The motor is mounted on handles adapted to slide on vertical guide posts, the downward movement taking place against the influence of springs and the marking needle being, if required, connected via the shaft of the driving motor which is coaxially connected with it, with a supply container for a marking medium.

During the downward movement, the motor is set in motion, either by actuation of a hand switch or by the tripping of a striker switch which, in the inoperative position, impinges against an upper transverse web on the machine which connects the two guide posts and, in this position, switches off the driving motor.

During the downward movement, i.e. during the starting up of the driving motor, the marking needle begins to rotate, so that the fabric or the layers of fabric on which the marking machine has been applied is perforated at the desired point by the rotating marking needle and is in this way marked.

It has recently been found that, in particular due to the progressively more frequent use of fabrics made from synthetic fibres, in some cases higher and in other cases lower rotational velocities of the marking needle and therewith speeds of the driving motor are necessary. Thus, the operator is required, when marking various fabrics, frequently to vary the rotational volocity in each given case, and this is something which has not been possible or has only been possible with very great difliculty with the hitherto-conventional driving motors designed as electric motors.

Furthermore, the speed achievable when using electric motors as driving motors is restricted to the extent that in order to attain a higher output the electric motor must be made larger and thereby the marking machine must be made heavier. It is, however, not possible to go beyond a predetermined size or a predetermined weight without detrimentally influencing the practical usefulness of the machine. To this must be added the fact that during continuous operation troublesome heating often takes place in the motor housing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fabric marking machine which makes it possible to vary the rotational velocity of the marking needle in a relatively simple manner and which, also in the case of speeds which are high by comparison with those of electric motors and during continuous operation, provides a high capacity with a relatively small driving motor, without at the same time troublesome heating phenomena being produced. Furthermore, using a hollow marking needle and a marking icev medium conveyed through the said needle, the danger of clogging is to be avoided.

According to the present invention there is provided a fabric marking machine having a rotatable marking needle, a compressed air motor for rotating said needle, means for guiding said motor and needle during longitudinal movement thereof towards and away from an operative fabric marking position and spring means arranged resiliently to oppose movement of said motor and needle towards said operative position.

In this manner the operator is able, merely by simple actuation of a control valve, very rapidly to vary the speed of the motor and therewith the rotational velocity of the marking needle. Furthermore, the advantage is achieved that, with dimensions of the compressed air motor which are relatively small as compared with those of electric motors, it becomes possible to achieve a relatively high capacity without any kind of heating resulting therefrom. By comparison with an electric motor, for example if a compressed air motor having approximately the same dimensions is provided, it becomes possible to achieve an increase of about 10 times of the capacity, this being something which is important in particular in the marking of hard materials such as natural leather, artificial leather, plastics, fabrics from synthetic material, glass fi-bre material, etc.

A further advantage resides in the fact that a compressed air motor does not require maintenance and that the motor cannot fuse, burn out or suffer other damage. Furthermore, continuous operation of unlimited duration and overloading until the mechanism comes to a standstill, for example in the case of especially hard materials, are possible without the driving motor being damaged.

A compressed air feed pipe is provided which leads to the compressed air motor and which, for permitting the upward and downward movement of the compressed air motor, is so designed that it is slidably guided or flexibly movable through an aperture in a stationary upper transverse web connecting the guide posts.

The compressed air motor may be releasably secured to the fabric marking machine, so that, where appropriate, the hitherto conventional electric motor may be replaced in a simple manner by a compressed air motor.

For the simple control of the compressed air motor, the latter is advantageously provided with a striker switch located on the upper surface thereof to impinge against the upper transverse web and actuate a switching valve for the compressed air feed.

Furthermore, it is possible, to provide the compressed air motor laterally with a grasping or manipulating means which is adapted to be grasped in common with one of the handles and which serves for actuating a valve designed as a switching valve or as the control valve influencing the motor speed. Of course, the grasping means may be resiliently mounted in such manner that, when released, said means travels back of its own accord into the inoperative position and in this way interrupts the air feed and thus switches off the compressed air motor.

Additionally, the compressed air motor may be provided, expediently on the upper surface thereof, externally of the zone of the upper transverse web, with an adjustable control valve operable to influence the motor speed. In this manner, it is an especially simple matter to control the motor speed and therewith the rotation velocity of the marking needle.

In the case of fabric marking machines having upwardly and downwardly movable, hollow, rotating marking needles connected, via a hollow shaft co-axially connected therewith of the driving motor adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly together with the needle, with a supply container for the marking medium, it frequently happens, in particular during inoperative periods, that the marking medium contained in the connecting pipe between the supply container and the hollow shaft or in the hollow shaft or in the marking needle becomes thickened and cakes so that clogging takes place. In order to eliminate such clogging, it is necessary to dismantle the machine part concerned and clean it and this involves a considerable interruption in operation and gives rise to considerable expenditure.

This danger of clogging exists not only when using liquid marking agents, but also in particular when using pulverulent marking agents.

A still further object of the invention is to eliminate this danger of clogging.

For this reason, according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a fabric marking machine having a longitudinally displaceable hollow rotatable marking needle, a motor arranged to rotate said needle and mounted for movement therewith between a forward marking position and a retracted inoperative position, a supply container for marking medium, a venting aperture in said supply container, a connecting pipe for delivering marking medium from said container towards said needle and a pipe opening into said connecting pipe in injectorlike manner to supply pressure fluid from a pressure source. Advantageously the motor is a compressed air motor and in this case the pressure pipe may be branched off from the feed pipe leading to the compressed air motor.

Due to the pressure pipe opening out in injector-like manner into the connecting pipe between the supply container and the hollow motor shaft, the result is achieved that the pressure gas flowing through, due to the increase of the flow velocity at the opening-out point, conveys marking medium with it out of the supply container and forces said marking medium through the connecting pipe, the hollow motor shaft and also the hollow marking needle into the fabric layers or the like to be marked, without it being possible for clogging to take place.

With the above described arrangement, a compensating pipe, which leads back to the pressure pipe, is advantageously connected to the venting aperture in the supply container. In this manner, the marking medium is prevented from being blown through the venting apertures of the supply container into the open air during the switching on and off of the pressure gas feed. Additionally, a control valve is arranged in the pressure pipe before the point of opening-out into the connecting pipe. With the aid of the said control valve, by varying the pressure gas quantity flowing through, the entrained marking medium quantity may be accurately adjusted.

A further control valve may also be arranged in the compensating pipe. With the aid of the said further control valve, the pressure drop between the pressure pipe on the one hand and the supply container or compensating pipe on the other hand may be regulated and in this way the proportion of the marking medium in the marking medium pressure gas mixture is varied, whereas in the case of adjustment of the control valve arranged in the pressure pipe before the opening out into the connecting pipe, variation of this proportion is not possible.

The marking machine, in particular when using a liquid marking agent, may be provided with a shut-off valve arranged in the connecting pipe before joining with the pressure pipe. With the aid of this shut-off valve and in the closure position thereof, after-flow of the marking medium (this being something which takes place in particular with liquid marking media) is prevented.

Furthermore, in the said closure position with the pressure gas feed opened, it is possible to elfect entirely satisfactory cleaning of the through flow passage, without any danger of marking medium being driven out of the supply container through the venting aperture. Also, a further shut-off valve may be arranged in the pressure pipe before the point of opening out of the compensating pipe. It is particularly expedient if, for the adjustment of the shutoff valve arranged in the pressure pipe, a control member is provided which is actuated by the driving motor as said motor is moved out of or into its inoperative position, and which acts on the shut-off valve. In this way it is ensured that when the marking machine is not in use the pressure gas feed and therewith the blowing-through of the marking medium pressure gas mixture through the abovementioned flow path is stopped. The control member may either act on the shut-off valve mechanically or this action may also be effected electrically, for example with the aid of a relay or an electromagnet, in known manner.

When a compressed air motor is utilized as the driving motor of the fabric marking machine, it is necessary to provide only one source of energy, i.e. pressure gas or compressed air, and consequently also only one energy feed pipe, i.e. the pressure gas pipe which, in this case, would expediently lead to the compressed air motor, a branching-off pipe leading from the pressure gas pipe to the connecting pipe between the supply container and the hollow motor shaft. The supply container may either be secured on the stationary part of the machine or may be secured on the upwardly and downwardly movable driving motor, and in each case the corresponding tubes must be flexible.

In order that these and other features of the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into effect the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a fabric marking machine having a compressed air driving motor, and

FIGURE 2 shows a fabric marking machine provided with means for feeding marking medium to a hollow marking needle.

Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 1 or 1a designates a motor for driving a marking needle 6. The motor 1, together with two handles 3, is adapted to slide upwardly and downwardly on guide posts 2, the downward movement taking place in the direction of the arrow against the influence of springs (not shown).

At least one of the guide posts 2 may, as shown on the left-hand side of FIGURE 1, be provided with a marking for adjusting the desired perforating depth of the marking needle 6. For this purpose, a lower transverse web 8a is arranged to be vertically adjustable with the aid of a lockable turning knob 20:.

An annular support plate 4 is attached at the base of the guide posts 2 and is provided with a centrally arranged aiming spider 40. With the aid of this spider the fabric marking machine may be placed in position on the webs (not shown) to be marked, for example fabric webs, paper webs, plastic webs or the like. The marking needle 6 is connected with the driving shaft of the driving motor 1 or In by means of a chuck 5.

The two guide posts 2 are connected together by means of an upper transverse web 7 and the driving motor 1 or 1a is disposed on an intermediate transverse web 8 which is secured on both sides to the handles 3 mounted for upward and downward movement.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the driving motor is designed as a compressed :air motor and supply of compressed air to the motor 1a is effected via a compressed air feed pipe which leads to the upper side of the motor and which, in order to permit upward and downward movement of the compressed air motor 10, is slidingly guided through a perforation 7a in the upper transverse web 7 which does not accompany the upward and downward movement of the handles 3. The compressed air supply pipe 11 may, however, also lead laterally and below the transverse web 7 to the compressed air motor 1a in which case the pipe is sufficiently flexible to be able to accompany the upward and downward movements. Even in the former case, it is advisable for the compressed air supply pipe 11 to be flexible.

The compressed air motor 1a is provided with a striker switch 18a which is arranged on the upper surface thereof to strike the upper transverse web 7 and actuate a switching-on and switching-off valve (not shown). This valve is expediently arranged within the motor housing 'and serves for the compressed air feed.

The compressed air motor 1a may, however, also (if required) be additionally provided laterally with a manipulating means 20, which is expediently adapted to be grasped simultaneously with the right-hand handle 3 and which serves for actuating a valve 21. This valve 21 is designed as a switching-on and switching-off valve and/ or as a control valve influencing the motor speed, i.e. controlling the supply of compressed air. In this case, when the manipulating means 20 and the right-hand handle 3 are simultaneously grasped, the manipulating means 20 is drawn towards the handle 3 and in this way the valve 21 is opened. O-n release, the manipulating means 20 returns under spring pressure into the inoperative position and renders the valve 21 inoperative.

The upper surface of the compressed air motor It: also has an adjustable control valve 22 which is operable to influence the motor speed. This control valve 22 is arranged beyond the zone of the upper transverse web 7 so that the valve 22 does not impinge on or strike said web during upward movement of said motor. The control valve 22 serves for the predetermined adjustment of the motor speed and therewith of the rotation velocity of the marking needle 6, in order that the operator may be able to effect in advance suitable adaptation to the type of material to be marked.

The compressed air motor 1a is designed in per se known manner. The striker switch 18a and the valve 21 each incorporate a ball valve subjected to the pressure of the compressed air flowing through the supply pipe 11 in the closure position. When the striker switch 18a is moved downwardly or when the manipulating means 20 is tightened against the right-hand handle 3, the said ball valve is opened against the influence of the compressed air, so that the compressed air is able to flow into a chamber (not shown) in the compressed air motor 1a.

The compressed air motor is provided with a unit (not shown) which is substantially cylindrical and is formed for example with four diametrically arranged slots extending parallel to the rotor axis. Loosely inserted in the slots are lamellae, made for example from plastic material. When the rotor rotates, the lamellae pass outwardly in accordance with the decrease in the variable wall thickness of the rotor housing, so that a gap is formed. In this way, the compressed air flowing through rotates the rotor. After passing the rotor, the expended compressed air flows out in a suitable manner out of the compressed air motor 1a, via an outlet aperture.

When the striker switch 18a strikes against the upper transverse web 7 or when the operator releases the manipulating means 20, the ball of the above-mentioned ball valve moves under the pressureof the inflowing compressed air on to its seat, into the closure position, so that the compressed air motor 1a and therewith the marking needle 6 come to a standstill.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, the marking needle 6 and also the motor shaft connected therewith via the chuck 5 are hollow.

A supply container 9 is secured on the upper transverse web 7. As in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, the web 7 interconnects the two guide posts 2 and does not accompany the downward movement of the handles 3, the motor 1 and the marking needle 6. The marking needle is again held in the upright position and is secured with the handles 3 via the lower transverse web 8. The supply container 9, which receives a fabric marking medium which may be liquid, pulverulent, colored or fluorescent, is connected, by a connecting pipe or tube 10, with the hollow shaft or the motor and therewith with the hollow marking needle 6. Since the supply container is secured in the transverse web 7 which does not move with the remaining mechanism, and since on the other hand the motor 1 is moved upwardly and downwardly,

the connecting pipe or tube 10 is designed to be at least partially flexible in order to be able to follow the upward and downward movements of the motor.

A pressure pipe or tube 11 leads to the connecting pipe 10 from a source of pressure gas (not shown) and opens out in injector-like manner into said connecting pipe 10. A control valve 14 is inserted in the pressure pipe 11 upstream of the join with the connecting pipe 10.

The supply container 9 is also provided with a venting aperture 12 and a compensating pipe 13 leads from the pressure pipe 11 to said venting aperture 12. A control valve 15 is arranged in the compensating pipe 13.

A shut-off valve 16 is arranged in the connecting pipe 10 upstream of the join with the pressure pipe 11 and a further shut-01f valve 17 is arranged in the pressure pipe 11 upstream to the joint with the compensating pipe 13.

As shown in FIGURE 2, an abutment 18 is located on the upper surface of the motor 1. This abutment may be designed for example as a push-button switch or the like and serves as a control member for adjusting the shutoff valve 17 which may be electrically operated in known manner in a manner as described hereinbefore with reference to switch 18a and as known per se. The abutment 18 or the like is, when the inoperative position of the motor 1 is reached and departed from, actuated in such manner that in the inoperative position of the motor the shut-01f valve 17 is in the closure position.

The control member 18 and the shut-off valve 17 are connected together in circuit as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 by line 19.

If, instead of being secured on the stationary transverse web 7, the supply container 9 is secured on a moving part, for example on the motor 1, the connecting pipe 10 could be of rigid design. In this case, however, the pressure pipe 11 or the compensating pipe 13 would have to be flexible.

Expediently, the pressure gas used is compressed air. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 only one source of energy, i.e. only one pressure gas pipe, is necessary for the operation of the entire fabric marking machine. Furthermore, in this case the compressed air feed pipe 30 for the compressed air motor is flexible to allow for upward and downward movement of the motor and the pipe 30 is expediently branched off from the pressure pipe 11 before the shut-off valve 17.

We claim:

1. A fabric marking machine comprising a rotatable marking needle, a compressed air motor coupled to said needle to drive the needle in rotation; two guide posts having free ends, a tranverse web interconnecting the free ends of the guide posts, hollow cylindrical handle means rigid with said motor and slidably mounted for longitudinal displacement one on each guide post for displacing the motor and needle therewith between a forward marking position and a retracted inoperative position; a supply container for a marking medium, said supply container having a venting aperture, a supply pipe for connection with a source of compressed air, means coupled to said supply pipe and to said container and needle for delivering marking medium from the container to said needle, the latter means comprising a connecting pipe leading from said supply pipe to said needle, said supply pipe opening into said connecting pipe in injector-like manner at a juncture therewith, and a pipe joining said container with the junction between the supply pipe and the connecting pipe, and a compressed air feed pipe connected to said supply pipe and said motor for supply of compressed air to the latter.

2. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is secured to said web.

3. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compressed air feed pipe is flexible to enable displacement of the motor.

4. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting pipe is flexible to enable displacement of the needle with the motor.

5. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising an electrically operated valve in said supply pipe for controlling the supply of compressed aid thereto and a striker switch at the end of the compressed air motor remote from the needle and arranged to impringe against said transverse web to actuate said valve.

6. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising a compensating pipe connected to said supply pipe and to the venting aperture of said supply container.

7. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 6 comprising a control valve in the supply pipe upstream of the juncture with the connecting pipe.

8. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 7 comprising a control valve in the compensating pipe.

9. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 8 comprising a shut-off valve in the pipe connected to the container at a location upstream of the juncture with the connecting pipe.

10. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 9 comprising a shut-off valve in the supply pipe upstream of the juncture with the compensating pipe.

11. A fabric marking machine as claimed in claim 10 comprising a control member arranged to be actuated 8 by the motor when said motor is moved into or out of the retracted inoperative position thereof, and connected to the shut-off valve in the supply pipe to control the same.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,905,149 9/1959 Swanson 91-l2l 2,946,315 7/1960 Doeden 91121 XR 3,190,183 6/1965 Walker et a1 9l-121 XR 2,135,228 11/ 193-8 Wolkan 101-26 2,227,254 12/1940 Glassberg et a]. 101-26 2,415,545 2/ 1947 Widlarz.

2,734,782 2/1956 Galle 30253 2,792,262 5/1957 Hathorn 30253 FOREIGN PATENTS 864,237 1/ 1953 Germany.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

CLIFFORD D. CROWDER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

